In its initial reaction to the publication of the Quigley
Report, the Orange Order has described it as an important
step in the right direction towards resolving the issue of
disputed parades.
Commenting on the reports main recommendation that
the Parades Commission should be scrapped and replaced with
a Parades Facilitation Agency and a separate Rights Panel
to rule on human rights issue, George Patton, Executive Officer
of the Order said:
Sir George Quigleys report vindicates our long-held
view that instead of reducing tensions, the Parades Commission
has actually made things worse. In its rulings the Commission
has consistently taken the path of least resistance by banning
or restricting traditional Orange parades and caving in to
the threat of violence from a number of unrepresentative and
politically-motivated nationalist residents groups.
We welcome any move that recognises the need to balance
the concerns of those who oppose marches with the fundamental
human rights of others seeking to celebrate their culture
and traditions in peace and without giving offence to anybody.
Mr Patton said that senior officers of the Order were now
studying the report in detail and were looking forward to
participating fully in the public consultation process announced
by Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy.
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